Eating disorders difficult to address

Thursday

Dec 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Q. I'm worried about my 15-year-old child. How do I recognize an eating disorder?

Q. I'm worried about my 15-year-old child. How do I recognize an eating disorder?

A. Recognizing an eating disorder in your teenage child is often challenging and difficult. Obsessions about weight and body shape seem to be a national passtime over the years with our culture often placing undue emphasis on fitness, diet and appearance in almost everything we see and hear. Just because your child may be showing an increased interest in health and fitness, even in a big way, does not mean that he or she has an eating disorder.

However, when interest turns into obsession and results in disturbing changes in behavior, it is reasonable to be concerned that there may be an eating disorder underlying these behaviors.

Things that you need to be on the lookout for include your child skipping meals; losing or gaining a significant amount of weight over a short period of time; obsessive, constant exercising to the exclusion of other important activities; the hiding of food that goes uneaten; or signs of vomiting after eating.

Changes in the way your child sees him or herself may also hint at a possible eating disorder. They may see themselves as excessively fat when they're of normal body size, or they may start wearing baggy clothes to hide significant weight loss or gain. They may also become overly concerned with perfectionism, and talk about themselves in a self-deprecating or derogatory way.

The three most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

Often, eating disorders are not about the dieting, weight loss or obsession with food choices; they are more about underlying emotional and control issues. Problems surrounding issues of self-esteem, social pressure, family strain, or depression and anxiety are just a few of the possible triggers that could lead to an eating disorder. If ignored, it can lead to serious physical and mental health problems, and on occasion can lead to fatal consequences.

Most people with eating disorders spend a lot of time hiding things. Shame and guilt are often associated with eating disorders, and a child with one typically does not want to announce to friends or family that they are struggling.

If you think you see signs of a possible eating disorder, gently speak with your child in a concerned and non-judgmental way. Don't assume that the behavior is just a phase and will go away on its own. Seek out a professional to help aid you and your child with this disorder before serious health issues arise.

Robert Morrow, M.D., specializes in psychiatry and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Morrow practices at Pocono Psychiatric Associates at Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.